"In terms of what Chris Nolan achieved, specifically The Dark Knight, the second movie, what it achieved, which is something exceptional… it was a game changer for everybody," he told The Playlist.

"What Nolan proved was that you can make a huge movie that is thrilling and entertaining and has a lot to say about the world we live in, even if, in the case with The Dark Knight, it's not even set in our world.

"That did help give me the confidence to take this movie in directions that, without The Dark Knight, might not have been possible."

Mendes also revealed that he wasn't a fan of the Pierce Brosnan Bond films, but became interested in the series again when his Road to Perdition star Daniel Craig was cast in Casino Royale.

"I was on record as saying that I didn't think he was good casting," the filmmaker said. "Then I saw [Casino Royale] and was blown away and was suddenly interested again and eager to see the next one."

Skyfall will open in UK cinemas on October 26 and November 9 in the US.

Photo gallery - 50 years of James Bond in pictures:

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Dr No (1962)007: Sean ConneryThe Bond Girl: Honey Rider (Ursula Andress)The Villain: Dr No (Joseph Wiseman)Trivia: In the film's opening gun barrel sequence, stuntman Bob Simmons is standing in for Sean Connery as James Bond. Connery shot his own version for Goldfinger.
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